MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 16

MENTAL HOSPITALS.

LACK OF ACCOMMODATION. SITUATION BEING RELIEVED. [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON. September 5. Overcrowding at mental institutions throughout the Dominion was referred to bv several speakers, when tho estimates of the Mental Hospitals Department were under consideration in the Houso of Representatives this afternoon. Mr W. J. Poison (Ind. Stratford) said it occurred to him that some ot the mental hospitals were on expensive lands in ciose proximity to cities. He suggested that institutions might be built on the pumice lands in the north, where the climate was healthy. The Minister said he was not boasting, but merely stating a fact in disclosing that the capital expenditure on mental hospitals was £152,000 last year, which was doublo the amount spent in any two previous successive years. This indicated that the Department was rapidly overtaking tho overcrowding problem. A New Institution. Referring to the new mental hospital at Kingseat, near Auckland, the Minister said tenders had been let for two new buildings, and plans were being prepared for two more. Mr J. A. Young (R.. Hamilton): Will any material relief be given to the Auckland Mental Hospital as a result of the work at Kingseat to date ?

The Minister: Not in regard to transfers of patients. He added that enquiries were being made for the purchase of a. site in Wellington district to relieve the demands upon Porirtvi.

Reverting later, to the , work at Kingseat, the Minister said that until tho buildings were erected , there transfers could not be made. 'Mr A. Harris <R.. Waitemata): When do you anticipate closing Avondale? Building Programme. The Minister: As soon as the necessary accommodation is ready. That wili be a, number of years, and the, cost might run into £250,000. The building programme is- being pushed forward as rapidlv as possible. Mr P. Fraser (Lab.. Wellinjtfon Central) said he was gratified to hear that steps were being taken to abolish overcrowding, but he believed much more bad to be done. The country had a duty to perform as far as mental patients were concerned. Mr $. J. Howard (Lab., Christchurch South) expressed the opinion that the separation of child patients such as was practised at Templeton should be extended. He said it was not right that children should be herded with adults, and he would like to see the age at which children should go to a special institution raised to 16.